"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?," the magi ask upon their arrival in Jerusalem. "We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage," they continue (Matthew 2:2).
"When King Herod heard this," we read, "he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matthew 2:3- italics mine).
The Magi in the House of Herod,, by James Tissot, 1850
Rulers and nations are still greatly troubled by the same king, who is also the Prince of Peace. This is even (especially?) true of those who like to invoke His name. Doesn't He warn: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven"? (Matthew 7:21)
Rulers and nations are troubled by how their plans and designs rarely conform to the teachings of Him who is not merely the king of Jews but is King of the Universe. The truly wise still seek Him. True wisdom requires great humility. It requires not returning to Herod but departing "by another way" (Matthew 2:12).
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